Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jajdude]

Ever get an interview with a question or two you have trouble answering? One question that throws me off is, "How do you discipline students?" I really don't know how to answer that. I've never had any particular method. I'm not strict, I just try to keep things as interesting as I can, though sometimes class is boring and kids' attention will wander. If a kid is a real pain I might kick him out. I don't think I've ever impressed an interviewer with any response to this, the few times this question has been asked, though.

Any other questions that are hard to answer? I hate when employers give you a questionnaire with things like, "what are your strong/weak points?" and other awful questions. If it's by email I never fill those things out. I hate getting grammar quizzes or asked to write an essay, though I can see why some employers give them.

[Yeolchae]

The proper answer on how to discipline students should be...
according to school policy and procedure.

Unfortunately there are too many private schools here without either of those things and that is the root of many problems.

[corroonb]

I hate personal questions like describe your personality. All they usually want to hear is outgoing, I'm not outgoing at all, I am confident and friendly but I don't socialise a lot and enjoy my own company (ie I'm introverted which is not by definition a negative trait even though extraversion is an English-speaking ideal). Try explaining that to a Korean who thinks all teachers should be confident like American action heroes and socialise like clubbers on speed. And asking about your family and personal relationships.

[ella]

[dimnd]

I like the question: Why do you want to come to Korea...are there no jobs in the United States?

gotta chuckle on that one...

[princess]

[jajdude]

Look at this questionnaire I got via email. Would you bother? Seems like too much of a hassle to me. Some of the questions are just, ugh...
===============================================
Thank you for expressing your interests in teaching English in Korea. Please take the time to fill out this questionnaire to give us a better understanding of who you are. Thank you.

Why are you interested in teaching in Korea?

What is your style of teaching?

How would you react if a student of yours cries?

Do you want to learn Korean while you are in Korea?

During your free time, what would you do in Korea?

What were your living arrangements in college? (home, residence, alone)

What is your strongest quality?

What is your weakest quality?

Have you ever traveled to other countries? If yes, please list them.

Would you prefer to be in an urban or rural area? And why?

What are your hobbies?

Are you familiar with Korean culture?

What do you enjoy about the gift of teaching?

Do you like to experience adventure?

Do you speak any foreign languages?

Do you have an aptitude for foreign language?

What do you think is the most important thing for a person in their life?

What do you expect out of working in Korea?

How do you want your students to view you?

What is your goal in Korea?

What was the most interesting experience you had in college?

Name three things you would do to help a struggling student.

Name three things you would do for the star pupil.

A student tells you that he forgot to bring his homework. In the next class, he tells you he forgot it again. What will you do?

After class a student who you know is crying because she doesn’t have an umbrella. She was waiting for her mother, but her mother didn’t come. What would you do?

Where do you see yourself in 3 years?

[Satin]

I know where you saw that questionnaire. I filled it out. Made me think through the reasons why I wanted to teach in Korea and a few of the "obvious" cultural differences.

Most Korean questionnaires aren't any more difficult or "silly," than many I've seen in the U.S.